03 May 2025 | Virtual Event

The Emerging Pollutants Network (EPN–ASTF) hosted a high-level international webinar on 3 May 2025 titled “Next-Generation of Research and Innovation: Integrating Research, Innovation, Industry, and Society”, bringing together academic leaders, researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers from across the Arab region and internationally.

The webinar addressed one of the most critical challenges facing modern research systems: how to translate scientific excellence into societal and economic impact through effective integration of universities, industry, government, and society.

Distinguished international speaker

The session was delivered by Mohd Shahir Shamsir Omar, Professor and Advisor on Research Excellence at Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), and an official trainer with Elsevier. Professor Omar is widely recognized for his leadership in research governance, innovation policy, and commercialization strategies, having previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Director of the Innovation and Commercialisation Centre at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

Drawing on extensive regional and international experience, the speaker presented a strategic framework for next-generation innovation ecosystems, emphasizing the need to move beyond traditional academic metrics toward outcome-driven research models that generate real-world value.

Key themes and discussions

The webinar explored several core themes, including:

• Research and innovation leadership in rapidly evolving knowledge economies
• University–industry–society integration as a driver of sustainable development
• Strengthening intellectual property (IP) strategies and university-based startups
• The growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in accelerating innovation pipelines
• Mechanisms to boost private-sector investment in research and development (R&D)
• A forward-looking vision for innovation-driven universities

Professor Omar highlighted successful international case studies demonstrating how policy alignment, institutional leadership, and industry engagement can significantly enhance research commercialization and national competitiveness.

Implications for the Arab region

Participants discussed how these models could be adapted to the Arab context, particularly in light of ongoing efforts to diversify economies, strengthen knowledge-based industries, and enhance the global visibility of Arab research institutions. The session emphasized the importance of capacity building, incentive structures, and cross-sector collaboration in unlocking the full potential of regional research systems.

The webinar also underscored the role of professional networks in bridging gaps between academia and practice, supporting researchers in navigating innovation pathways, and aligning scientific outputs with societal priorities.

Building future-ready research ecosystems

Held virtually at 4:00 PM Makkah Time (9:00 PM Kuala Lumpur Time), the event formed part of EPN’s broader mission to promote excellence, innovation, and impact-driven research across the Arab region. Participants received accredited certificates as part of EPN’s professional development program.

Organizers noted that the webinar represents a strategic contribution to shaping future-ready research and innovation ecosystems, capable of addressing complex environmental, technological, and societal challenges while supporting sustainable economic growth.